Lamborghini News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – May 13, 2021

Lamborghini Previews Their Future on May 18th

This is going to be big! We will learn what the future holds for Lamborghini on Tuesday. Their latest press release invites the world to tune in at 5 am on May 18th. It will be a bold message from CEO Stephan Winkelmann that will outline the “Vision for the future of Automobili Lamborghini". We have a few details of what it will entail, but we won't snitch. So tell us what you want to see from them and click the button to find your Lamborghini. Shop Lamborghini Images (C) Lamborghini

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2021

Lamborghini Opens New Private VIP Lounge in NYC

5,400 square feet of Lamborghini luxury. Located in the Chelsea neighborhood on Manhattan's west side is the new Lamborghini Lounge New York City. This new lounge is an invite-only venue where guests can get exclusive access to never-before-seen vehicles, bespoke exhibitions and even Italian culinary experiences. Lamborghini also notes that this space can be used for private meetings and events. With 5,400-square-feet spanning two stories, there's so much to be found within the lounge. This includes the Ad Personam design studio, where customers can configure their own Lamborghini. Other touches include the Bang & Olufsen sound system, furnishings from Living Divani, interiors and kitchen furnishing from La Dolce Vita and even a display that shows off the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Huracan STO. The Lamborghini Lounge NYC will be open by invitation only to clients and Lamborghini Friends and partners starting Spring 2021. See All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Edward Jones – May 07, 2021

Race the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Hypercar in Asphalt 9:...

A chance to drive the insane Lamborghini hypercar. The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 is an extraordinary car in many ways. Not only is it extraordinarily fast, but it's also extraordinarily limited with production being held to just 40 examples that can only be driven on the track. That means it will not only be incredibly rare to see but almost impossible in terms of getting a chance to drive it. If this doesn't sit well with you, Lamborghini has just announced that you will get the opportunity to drive the Essenza SCV12, albeit in the virtual world of Asphalt 8: Legends. Starting from May 13, gamers will get a chance to select their SCV12 from eight colors and compete in the "Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Challenge." This mobile game competition will result in the best eight of multiple rounds competing to be the champion on September 18. Lamborghini is going full steam ahead when it comes to video games, having recently added the Huracan STO to Rocket League. As someone who games, I genuinely love seeing these automakers partake in the video game and esports worlds. See All Lamborghinis For Sale Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – May 06, 2021

Lamborghini Urus Shatters 1000m Record On Ice

A hot Super SUV tackles the frozen north Lake Baikal is the largest & deepest body of fresh water on Earth. When Russia decided to build their Trans-Siberian railroad, the ice was thick enough to hold freight trains with several steam engines. That's why it can easily handle a Lamborghini. Wanting to thaw out the top speed through 1000 meters, they asked Muscovite Andrey Leontyev to get behind the wheel. He is an 18-time champion of speed weeks at the lake, so his skills speak for themselves. “When I saw the frozen Lake Baikal for the first time I immediately realized that it was a perfect track. Records were being set on impeccable-quality asphalt roads and salt lakes around the world, but in Russia we don’t have any of that. Instead, we have a lot of ice, and that’s how the idea came to me. So I once decided to come to Baikal with a friend and did some racing. Nobody thought this would get us anywhere, but we were determined to make it something big. In the past ten years we gained FIA recognition to make our ice-track records official. We fully abide by all FIA regulations and we have a legitimate record-setting arena.” Along with a team from the FIA, a new Urus hit a top speed of 185 mph in the half-mile. With an average speed of 114 mph, it would be a great starter for our local Tampa Bay Lightning, Our dealers are having a hard time keeping the Urus on the lot and Lamborghini had to add a graveyard shift to keep up with demand. To learn what makes it so amazing, click the button to find one for yourself and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse All Lamborghini Urus For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

Top 5 Facts You Don't Know About The Lamborghini Super Tr...

This season is going to be intense! You might consider the idea of a Gentleman Racer to be obsolete. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Super Trofeo travels to the best tracks around the world to allow the Huracan to run free. Six events are on the calendar for 2021. Each consists of free practice sessions, qualifying, and two 50-minute races. The owner/drivers fall into three categories: Pro, Pro-Am, and Lamborghini Cup. Since 2018, they have driven the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO. This masterpiece weighs much less than the street-legal Huracan STO, which was inspired by these races. So without further adieu, here is what you need to know: Celebrity VIPs on the grid The points system has never been changed Younger drivers than ever before Almost 1,000 drivers over 13 years 47 Tracks and counting, as new locations added every year! Our dealers compete in the series, and they are happy to explain the differences between the Huracan Super Trofeo EVO and the street-legal Huracan Super Trofeo Omologato. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2021

Lamborghini Urus vs BMW X6M Half-Mile Shootout

Super SUV Showdown! Russia has ample room for racing, and that means an invitation to the fastest cars from across Europe and Asia. Half-mile racing is perfect for these high-speed machines, as both are powered by twin-turbo V8 engines with All Wheel Drive. The Italian competitor is a distant cousin of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and the Bavarian is the flagship of their X-Class, born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. You paid for an entire seat but you are only going to need the edge. That's because Lamborghini offers 641 horsepower with a weight of 4,844 lbs. BMW replies back with 523 horsepower in 5,115 lbs. The Urus also has 100 more lb-ft of torque, but aerodynamics are the name of the game above 120 mph, so hang on for a wild ride. Browse Lamborghini Urus For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 30, 2021

Lamborghini's Museum is Finally Opening Again With New Ex...

MUDETEC welcomes guests back with an exciting new exhibit. One of Lamborghini's most iconic places, MUDETEC, it opening again after closure due to the pandemic. MUDETEC is Lamborghini's museum that showcases an incredible collection of cars, as well as exhibits. When the museum opens again on May 3, the new "Future is our legacy" exhibit will be on display. This exhibit will take visitors on a journey from the classic cars housing V12 engines to the new visionary models like the Essenza SCV12 and Vision GT. Not only will Lamborghini be celebrating this new exhibit, but they will also be honoring the 20th anniversary of the MUDETEC and the 50th anniversary of the Countach. There's a lot to discover at MUDETEC, so if you happen to be in Sant’Agata Bolognese after May 3, do yourself a favor and stop by. See All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2021

Happy Birthday Mr. Lamborghini!

The boss would be 105 today! Ferruccio Lamborghini was a Renaissance Man. Seeing his nation devastated by WWII, he began building tractors to get Italian Agriculture back on on top. Along the way, he also patented home appliances and a compact home air conditioner. He would have been 105 years old today, so his company is celebrating their founder. This comes on the heels of Squadra Corse teasing a new supercar. An industrialist who was unsatisfied with quality of his wife's Ferrari, he hired the best minds from around the world to build an all-new V12. This engine was so revoltionary is lasted until 2001 and the end of the Diablo. Along the way, he took a chance by hiring a 17 year-old Argentinian genius named Horacio Pagani. When the Miura needed a test driver, Valentino Balboni joined the family. Now that Lamborghini and Bugatti are both under the leadership of Stephan Winkelmann, the future looks bright for the home of the Raging Bulls. Shop Lamborghini Images (C) Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2021

1985.5 Lamborghini Countach Downdraft Driven by CURATED

Who else loves Group B? When Ferrucio Lamborghini saw Ferrari's 288 GTO, he knew the Countach was capable of spanking it. Therefore he turned to his trusted team led by Valentino Balboni and Horacio Pagani to build the ultimate Countach race car. Instead of fuel injection, the Downdraft is topped with racing caurburetors. No chokes, big cams, aggressive gearing, and a brutal suspension were homogized to be sold on the street, and somehow John Temerian found this one in great shape. Curated has the resources to find and restore anything, so click the button to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your Curated news. Browse Inventory At Curated

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2021

Lamborghini Squadra Corse Teases Something Mean

Area 51 Be Warned Each evolution of the Lamborghini Huracan has yielded a potent racing version. Should you enjoy pushing your Raging Bull around a track, Squadra Corse is poised to release something unprecedented. Lessons learned in racing the Huracan EVO on the track and street yielded the brutal Huracan STO. Could it have led to an even more potent track machine? Stay with us for all the latest Lamborghini news! Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

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